The Future 40, Prospect 34: Eric Berry Scouting Report

A temporary article series was formed about two months ago called The Future 40, and the next edition is here! The segment has and will continue to run every other day until late April as we provide you with in-depth scouting reports of some 2010 NFL Draft prospects, giving you information key to understanding some of the players’ strengths, weaknesses, projected round of selection, possibility of being picked by the Eagles, and much more! And because the Draft is an important event for the entire league, some of the top-ranked players not expected to go to Philadelphia will also be reported on. This time around, we took a look at Eric Berry:

• Prospect Name: Eric Berry
• Position: Free/Strong Safety
• College: University of Tennessee
• Height/Weight: 6-foot, 211 pounds
• Age: 21 years
• Class Status: Junior

Summary: If there were one player to earn the description of being the most dominant defender and best leader at the same time from the 2010 NFL Draft class, there’s little question that Eric Berry would receive it. Though there are certainly some impressive prospects expected to play for the first time at the professional level in a few months, none have been heralded as much as the safety Berry has. A standout in track & field at Creekside High School in Georgia, the defender gradually worked into a football career after he had a few solid years as his squad’s starting cornerback and quarterback. Invited to play in the Army All-American contest, Berry was recruited by Tennessee and was expected to make an immediate impact with the Volunteers. Despite beginning his true freshman campaign on the bench behind senior teammate Jarod Parrish, the psychology major slipped into the starting lineup after a strong performance against California, and ultimately wound up leading the team in a number of statistical categories and garnering his conference’s Defensive Freshman of the Year award. The following year, again playing as the club’s leading safety and also a team captain, Berry tied for the national lead with seven interceptions (two of which he returned for touchdowns). His tackling abilities were also put on display, as he notched over 70 for the second consecutive season. This past year, as a junior, Berry–though only grabbing a pair of picks–once again proved why he is undoubtedly among the best soon-to-be rookies, making 54 solo tackles and earning a handful of prestigious awards. Considered to be one of the most reliable coverage men in the nearing Draft, Eric Berry is likely to have a lengthy career in the NFL, and as a very successful defender too.

Career Statistics:

Notable Achievements/Awards:

• All-SEC Honors (2007, 2008, 2009)
• All-American Honors (2007, 2008, 2009)
• SEC Defensive Player of the Year award winner (2007, 2008)
• National Defensive Sophomore of the Year award winner (2008)
• Defensive Freshman of the Year award winner (2007)
• Sports Illustrated’s All-Decade Team member (2007-2009)
• Jack Tatum Award winner (2008, 2009)
• Jim Thorpe Award winner (2009)
• Bronko Nagurski Award finalist (2009)
• Lott Award finalist (2009)

Strengths:

• Is consistently productive
• Has a high level of overall athleticism and agility
• Has tremendous awareness and instincts in the secondary/knows how to anticipate an opponent’s actions
• Can cover a wide range of the field in a short amount of time
• Has aggressive and physical properties that elite NFL safeties are known for
• Reads opposing quarterbacks’ eyes all the time and predicts where he is going to throw
• Has a smooth start to coverage and is capable of playing in a man coverage assignment
• Seems to always be around the ball when it is thrown up into the air/makes a lot of interceptions
• Is a reliable tackler who can consistently lay some big hits
• Very intelligent and a classy person off the field
• Has astounding leadership qualities as a defender and also possesses a good work ethic
• Is not afraid to play through injuries or pain so that his team can succeed
• Makes a lot of game-changing plays and often times turns an interception into a touchdown
• Has the versatility to play either at free or strong safety
• Is also a solid defender against rushing attacks

Weaknesses:

• Some have measured him as being 5-foot-11, so is a bit short for a safety
• Sometimes takes awkward angles when attacking running plays
• Is susceptible to failing to make a tackle when he tries to use his upper body
• Has had a brief history of a shoulder injury and surgeries on it

Projected Round of Selection: 1st round

NFL Player Comparison: Ed Reed, Baltimore Ravens

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We hope that everyone enjoyed the 34th report for The Future 40 prospect segment, and urge you to keep checking back for more scouting analysis as the series continues all the way up until the Draft! Also, remember that we will happily take and consider requests from our fans for this series!

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